Bachelor of Arts in Art History and Language (French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish) Birkbeck, University of London, UK

This BA Art History and Language (French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish) gives you the opportunity to study the visual arts as a central element of human endeavour expanding your interest in human culture, language and history in a supportive but challenging environment. It enables you to develop a range of key skills, from critical thinking and writing to historical research and visual analysis, enriched by the study of a modern language.

Why choose this course?

• This flexible and wide-ranging course is taught by experienced teachers who are renowned academics, researchers and published writers of groundbreaking art history in periods from the medieval to contemporary.
• We teach art history as a rich and dynamic topic that encompasses architecture, installation, exhibitions, print culture and digital media as well as painting, sculpture and photography.
• In your chosen language, you will be taught by specialists from a centre of teaching and research excellence.
• This art history and language course will support you in making the first steps towards working in the arts, with option modules offering an exciting range of perspectives on art history, visual culture and film from across the globe, including specialist modules focusing on Japanese and East Asian, French, Italian, Spanish and Latin American culture.

What you will learn

In art history, you will be taught by active researchers with expertise ranging from the Middle Ages to the present day, and encompassing a range of media from painting, sculpture and architecture to photography, installations and digital to help you gain a critical understanding of the visual world around you. You will also explore the cultural and political contexts of artworks, buildings and exhibitions, and think more broadly about the role of images within society. Join us as we engage with art galleries, museums and other facilities in London and beyond, including a study trip abroad every spring.

The languages component of this course is designed to help you reach a high level of competence in the modern language of your choice, opening a window onto other cultures through the study of the literature, history, film and visual culture associated with each language.

You will gain transferable skills such as essay writing, oral presentations, and written reports, critical thinking and translating. You can choose French, German, Italian, Japanese or Spanish, starting at the level of language learning that suits you, whether you are a complete beginner or a native speaker. Korean is offered starting from beginner level. If you decide to take this language, your final degree award will be a ‘with’ degree, so for example BA Art History with Korean, because we currently offer this language up to intermediate level.